Badlesmere XI win by 2 wickets scoring 167
SCC all out scoring 93
Timed game
Comrades!
This has clearly been some time coming due to the sheer weight of pressure of premier’ing you super collectivised cricket playing crazy folk. But here it is in some fashion. If you remember things differently, let me know!
Belmont House in Kent is unquestionably lovely and the ground there i think, is delightful. The pavilion a picture of Swiss mountain loveliness meets English country manor. Great!
Our host was the Badlesmere XI, presented to us by their star of shining dashingness, Ben Pullen. The day was sunny to the greater part and the boded very well for a super day of cricket.
SCC won the toss and elected to field first hoping for a nice high scoring pitch after some hours. Opening bats were Linfrith and Cotterill. Both succinctly caught by The Hatter, Dan March off Deano Scott for 1 and 4. So all looked to be going rather well, a nice tight opening bowling pair of Yuri [Philip Richardson] and Deano Scott which by the end of their spells had produced 4 wickets and 57 runs. Deano much cheaper than Richardson.
Okay, funny story: P. Richardson’s (me!) overs were for 38 runs and more pricey that Deano’s but you got to witness a classic pitch collision. Delivery short and slow resulted in Falcon pitching up a short, high and slow off side putt. I was on it, intensely following the balls lofted excellence – “A caught and Bowled!!” I thought. “A hat-trick of catches!!!” thought Hatter. We were both blind sighted and the last thing I heard before I heard the crunch was a call of “Hatter’s!”. However, this was when we were an inch apart. Both down like a tonne of shit and Dan with a cut tongue and manly bleeding from the side of his mouth. I was dazed. Cobramski asked what happened to the ball and there it was, sat neatly in my hand. Sorry Hatter. Let us all learn from this – Not sure what.
BTW: Atkins caught for 14 by ? off Yuri P Richardson
Number five was Stephen was greased up a confident 41 before being taken by The Hatter, and then came the bat of “Master O” Pullen, Ben’s son. Hats off all around. Great little imp and was able to remain in until the end, not out and whacked and happy 36. Good luck, “Master O” and stick on the game. Move to Soho after college and we shall have you… in our team, that is!
Dad Ben was next and tickled 4 from our bowling but was facing Samovar, Sam Kankan. Again, Sam pulled some very pacey and accurate bowling out of the bag and knocked Pullen’s stumps out of the ground. He then followed on with long pressure until he took the wicket of Beagle for 15. Samovar 23 runs and 2 wickets off 7 overs. Nice work comrade.
The tail end produced only one more wicket, that of Botting. Wicket catch from Collective Freelancer, Jonty off Cobramski for 11. But “Master O” was resilient with Neil R. (who also took 21 runs out of us, and their overs were done.
OUR INNINGS next. Well, yes, they had 167. It wasn’t un-attainable but I suppose it wasn’t going to be easy. Openers were Jonty and Hatter. I have to say that Hatter had an unfortunate knock and was out for none, caught mid-on off Atkins. A bowler who, had 4 overs and cost only 3 runs, 2 maidens to the good and a wicket. Don’t be too upset Hatter! Jonty was stoical! Dot ball, dot ball, dot ball, slow and steady.
Peter Brandonovski next. We had to steady the wicket. Facing twenty balls plus, Brandonovski followed Jonty’s example until finally bowled Coterrill for 3 runs. It steadied the field but I think we all began to think to chase was unlikely. The timed element bringing on the thought of, Oh-So-Familiar… A draw. Heads down. Robski Dixon in. MOre stoical defending and Dixon again faced over twenty balls to hedge a draw possibility. Our for 1 off Falcorn.
Samovar Sam next up. Some respect for our comrade who edged up a useful 22 until caught off Botting. Then Deanov Scottiev producing 16 off 11 balls until out off Botting for 16. These two batsmen generating at least some numbers on the board. Sewelski was valliant as ever and was unfortunate to leave the field for 1 off the dangerous “Master O” Pullen.
Cobramski was in. Bless you Cobra. There till the end not out and for 17 runs. We think to use terms like majestic and it’s so nice to see seasoned batting from yourself and comrade Jonty of VCC fame and infamy.
“Master O” Pullen was soon ride of the Richardson brothers, Chipmonkski for none and Yuri-P for 1. Not my usual tail end blocking, out from a superb, curling delivery. Must increase the size of my arse to pad off those leg side deliveries.
Freelancer Malkie was up finally and must be congratulated for at least pushing away four singles before out to Cotterill. No draw, another loss.
Comrades one and all. We must draw some good news from this match – Catches! We are improving very much in the field, so well done all. You are strong and together we are stronger. Now, if the rain would just bugger off?!
Yuri P
